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The most interesting in architecture and design in 2017

In this post we gathered the most interesting of that happened in the world of design for the rich 2017 year. We will tell you about the meaning of color, architectural trends, the most grandiose projects, and the most striking interiors. You can look at all this in our first video-release, or read below. Happy viewing and reading!

Color of the year

Every year, Pantone announces the color of the year. In 2017 it was Greenery. The color of the awakening of spring and fresh green, a symbol of new beginnings. Modern lifestyle makes people more and more back to nature and surround themselves with living plants. This is reflected in all areas of life from architecture and urban planning to select a signature style and lifestyle.
I want to note that the color of the year is more than a trend. This is a reflection of what our world need and what happens in the culture as a whole.

Architectural trends

Greening

This year there were an incredible number of projects related with greening. Architects for a very long time are concerned to add more greenery in the big cities. Because of this, there is such a term “smoke eating”.

For example, the architect Stefano Boeri continues the project Vertical Forest and designing new high-rise spaces.
The number of plants and trees of one of such residential building is approximately 20 thousand square meters of horizontal forest. Just imagine how many cubic meters of polluted air they absorb. The advantage of such houses is that they restore the climate and humidity, and protect people from harmful sun rays. Stefano creates these “forests” in big cities around the world, from Italy to China. And perhaps this experience will be very useful to create colonies on Mars.

One of the unusual projects of the year 1,000 trees in Shanghai.
This is quite an unusual project consisting of two buildings reminiscent the hills covered with full-sized trees. Due to this, the multifunctional complex naturally fits into the topography. Its area is quite extensive 300 thousand square meters.

And finally, the winner of the World Architectural Festival – house in Vietnam.
This house is a bit seems like an abandoned building long overgrown with greenery. But we, as lovers of bare concrete, really like this contrast between the living foliage and neutral inanimate background. Through a square holes the trees stretch up freely to the garden on the roof. The layout of the house is loose enough and has several outdoor terraces at different levels.

Shipping containers

The popularity of shipping containers in construction is increasing. The most striking example of this year is a residential house in the California desert.
According to the author of the project James Whitaker this idea was once invented for the advertising campaign in Germany but it was’t realized. Fortunately, the “dream client” soon found as one film producer from Los Angeles. This is the residence of 200 square meters with three bedrooms and an open-air bath protected from the desert winds. In the scenic desert area of California this star-shaped cluster will look really impressive due to white color which brightly reflects the sun’s rays. We look forward to completing this project!

Japanese style

The style of this country draws many new projects. We are mention the best of them, the interior of apartment in London, which became a winner in Don’t Move, Improve!
This apartment is created in the authentic traditions of Japan, since the owners are Japanese roots. The interior is quite simple and natural. The walls are decorated with layers of raw clay. Somewhere there is old brickwork. Kitchen and sinks are made of steel. On the lower level – a traditional Japanese bath finished in smoked oak. Here are the tatami, and the plants hanging from the ceiling and absorb the moisture from the steam. The interior of this apartment has no pafoss and there is no need to prove to someone or yourself that you are worth something. Here you feel the harmony and self-sufficiency. Now, many people think about it, that’s why Japanese style is so popular.

The second project in modern Japanese style is the hotel in Malibu.
It exists since the 50s and located on the coast of the Pacific ocean. Recently the interior has been completely remodeling. On two floors are 16 rooms with outdoor terraces. There is a patio with a fireplace overlooking the lush inner garden. Finish is in sand tones combinations with wood and tatami. The rooms have handmade teak baths. In Japan such simplicity is considered the most successful for balancing energy. The hotel is fully correspond to the Japanese art of hospitality.

Architectural projects

This year will be remembered for the long-awaited opening of the LEGO house in Denmark.
At 12 thousand square metres, there are 2 exhibition halls, 4 playgrounds, 3 restaurants and a shop. On the first level you can see everything about the company history. And at the top level the art gallery and the fans creativity. At first glance, the building looks quite simple. It consists of 21-th white rectangular blocks. But from the bird flight height you can see the bright colors of the company. According to the creators, everything what you will do in the LEGO house is based on a game and creativity.

Extensive project of this year was the Louvre in Abu Dhabi from French architect Jean Nouvel.
He designed the massive structure of the roof and relied on traditional Arabian architecture. The roof has a dome shape with a diameter of 180 meters. Its complex texture is composed of 8 layers. The sun’s rays penetrate and formed an incredible rain of light, the angle of inclination which varies with the time of day. And at night the Museum is lit from inside and transforms into a cloud of stars.

In Moscow has opened a new Park Zaryadye.
This project was created with the purpose of improvement the Moscow ecology and showing the diversity of Russian nature. It was the work of architects and landscape designers from New York. The Park is located in the heart of the city, and with an unusual observation deck you can see the main sights of the capital. Here are 5 pavilions, 2 amphitheaters, a restaurant and a Philharmonic hall.

Interiors of the year

A real jewel appeared in Paris on the Champs Elysees, and it not yet exhausted by the crowds of tourists. This is a dual restaurant – Flora Danica” and Copenhague.
The Union of Danish food and French cuisine. Restaurants are located on two floors and their interiors were created by studio from Copenhagen. On the first floor is Flora Danica, with its spacious braserie. The interior is reminiscent of a Scandinavian forest. The colour scheme are neutral but with a diversity of textures. Particular attention is paid to floor dynamically decorated with black and white marble.

On the second floor is the restaurant Copenhague, more dramatic and strict. The interior associated with night and some mystery due to the dark blue leather and textiles. The atmosphere is strengthened by mirrors and Cobra lamps on the walls and simple Scandinavian chairs. Who would have thought that the styles of two such different countries so good can be combined!

French interiors are special elegant. We love the new interiors of the Hôtel National Des Arts et Métiers.
The hotel is located near Museum of Arts and Crafts. Its interiors reflect a contemporary culture of Paris in combination with established traditions. Here you can enjoy rich shades, the elegance and originality that is unique to the French.

Restaurant Odette in Singapore.
Its point is that the partition is glass and you can see everything that happens in the kitchen. The chef believes this is the key point of the restaurant. Designers consciously moved away from the traditional way to design restaurants, making the interior is filled with natural light, but at the same time maintaining the historical heritage of this place. Curved wooden panels, gray velvet, a complex pattern on the floor and the installation of fluttering butterflies make the interior unique. A tall potted plants add life to the space.

Hotel in Madrid Barceló Torre de Madrid.
For Spanish designer Jaime Aion this project became the most special in his life and career. In his hometown he was entrusted to design the entire 9 floors of the hotel in the skyscraper “The Torah De Madrid”, which is a symbol of modernity in Madrid. The hotel’s interiors are filled with furniture and art over which the designer has worked the last 10 years. At the entrance each visitor is greeted by a sculpture of a bear in the hat – the emblem of the city, which the designer playfuly created. The bright colors and architectural elements demonstrate the heritage and bright color of Spain.

Designer of the year

The designer of 2017 – Tristan Auer from France.
He was awarded due to its elegance and French style. He has no recipe or template. He considers every project as a new adventure with a clean slate. He belives the most important is the ability to listen the client. A source of inspiration for him are old luxury cars, travel, and old movie.

Furniture of the year

This year has been filled with interesting in the field of furniture. We note briefly that we remember the most.

Chair of glass and onyx from canadian company “Claste”.
The materials were connected only with UV bonding. The combination of two incompatible materials causes intense feeling, but actually, this chair incredibly durable.

Led lamps from a New York Studio “RUX Design”.
They are made by hand from waste wood.

Series of rugs BLISS hand-crafted for the Milan-based company CC-Tapis. The inspiration for their creation is the unique style of the band “Memphis” and experiments with forms and colors.